white blood counts

[Linda5758]

I just got my first report on my blood counts and my white blood cell count is low, 2.6.  Is it o.k. to scoop kitty litter?

[runsincircles]

I've heard that the ammonia in cat urine is bad for our livers, but you may want to check me on that.  I have a ferret and can't use the clumping litter, so I wear a paper mask from the pharmacy when I clean her cage.  I also use disposable plastic cups to scoop it out instead of dumping it.

[pooh55811]

It is a good idea to wear gloves when cleaning the litter box. I have found the clumping litter to be the best and the easiest to keep clean. In stead of dumping the entire litter box out when cleaning it, a person can just pick out the solid pieces (both the feces and the clumped urine) or scoop them out, put them in a plastic bag, and toss them in the garbage can. A person won't get anything from the litter box if the person wears gloves while cleaning it and then thoroughly washes his/her hands afterwards.

[nonsensical]

Yes, 2.6 is still good.  When the ANC gets low, it's not that you are in grave danger from things like cat fecal matter, it's more to do with infections from human bacteria.  Contrary to what most people think, those who are under going antiviral therapy are not as susceptible to infection as those who are undergoing something like cancer chemo therapy.  If the  ANC drops too low they should be careful but not so concerned as to avoid all contact with other people.

Doctors differ but the ANC threshold is usually 500 before filgrastim (Neupogen) is administered.